Saturday, January 17, 2015

Happy weekend, lovely readers! I am excited to share some of my latest beauty procurements--8 to be exact--and, while this won't be a comprehensive review of each, there should be enough details (and swatches!) present to convey a realistic experience with each.

Kindly scroll on for more details, swatches, images of the products in action as well as the Bottom Line...

Above: Sephora + NARS VIB Rouge

First up, a brief overview of the latest Sephora birthday gift for VIB Rouge members (a status about which I am simultaneously proud and sheepish). It includes a mini (though still sizable) versions of the following products:

(1) Onto the other products...I had a reader recently ask me on my YouTube channel what my thoughts were regarding the Astalift Foundation. Of course, being the foundation-phile that I am, I was instantly intrigued with a foundation I had yet to encounter, so I tracked it down (via eBay) and promptly ordered it. Created by the beauty division of Fuji Film, this formula is designed to self-adust to different lighting situations, giving the illusion of perfected skin in every context.

Above: The mystical unicorn of foundation? Astalift Light Analyzing Moisture Foundation...glad I was able to track it down.

The foundation offers seamless medium to full coverage in a single pump. Additionally, the skin-like finish that gets ever so satiny in a few hours is just breathtaking. I feel like this foundation really "sets" on my face and, after trying it a couple of times, can confirm that the lasting power is stupendous...well over 8 hours of flawless and comfortable wear. What could possibly be the caveat, then? Availability...it appears that the British retailers (namely, Selfridge's) that seemed to carry this line last year have since inexplicably stopped, and I could only order it from a private seller (in the UK) on eBay. I had read that the shades run quite light and that the darkest shade, Caramel, was close to a NC 25-27 (yes, the shades run that light). Lo and behold, Caramel is a perfect match for my skin and I am definitely a light-medium in most foundation formulas. I absolutely adore this foundation and, due to its virtual absence in the Western Hemisphere, am a bit hesitant to even discuss it. That being said, perhaps my international Beauty Professor readers can shed some light on how/where to track this gem down!

The lowlight cream is a slightly warm tan (lighter in depth than the Tom Ford version)...it doesn't oxidize orange and is sheer enough for maximum blendability. Whereas the Tom Ford illuminate portion is a translucent pearly white glimmer, the pigmented highlighting strip in the Becca palette is definitely a rose-gold-beige-champagne tone. I like how silky both creams feel when applied to the skin and I appreciate the variation in tones, thereby mitigating redundancy in my collection! Simply beautiful.

(3) In terms of fragrance, I have become utterly smitten by the uplifting elixir otherwise known as *Aerin Waterlily Sun. It is a lush, clean and warm floral that is grounded by a sophisticated air of musk. It is a perfectly befitting scent for the transitional months ahead (Spring!!) and its intoxicating notes have me sniffing my wrist on a regular basis.

(4) I was at Neiman Marcus earlier this week (the new beauty floor at the Beverly Hills store is on the cusp of opening and, I might add, is INSANELY breathtaking...more on this soon enough) and was beguiled by the freshly released Giorgio Armani Fluid Eye Color(also available at Nordstrom).After a hasty swatching session (illustrated above), I found myself heading home with #10 Senso and #11 Rose Ashes...a glorious pairing of warm neutrals that work well for an everyday eye. The formula boasts 16 hours of blendable, creasesless wear and I am happy to say that, so far, my experience has aligned with such claims. I like to apply with the doe foot applicator and blend out with a little eyeshadow brush. The color is sheer but pigmented and buildable and takes on a nearly texturless gossamer finish once it sets on the eyes. More on this sublime combination soon!

Above: #10 Senso is a rich bronzy brown and #11 Rose Ashes is a creamy golden beige with a pink shift...stunning!

Above: Swatches of Rose Ashes and Senso in direct sunlight...complex and lovely, no?

(5) Fascinated by the pigmented, creamy matte finish of the new Laura Mercier Paint Wash Liquid Lip Color, I promptly ordered the lightest two shades...Golden Peach and Petal Pink. The texture is extremely smooth, and, despite its semi-matte finish, I am wildly pleased with the fact that the non-sticky formula keeps lips moisturized for hours. Golden Peach is soft peachy pink with a shimmery finish and Petal Pink is a rich and creamy light mauve pink...I love them alone and worn together and the unique texture and finish make me glad that I procured them!

(8) Finally, I have been loving the subtle effect of the *Koh Gen Do Cheek Color in PK 02, a restrained warm pink. Despite its lack of shimmer, it somehow manages to brighten the face and deliver a radiance that belies its muted appearance. Buffed onto the skin, it becomes one with the cheeks and wears evenly for hours...another treasure from the venerable Koh Gen Do line.

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Bottom Line: I hope your weekend is off to a marvelous start and that you enjoyed this preliminary overview of some of my most recent beauty procurements! I plan more in-depth reviews of many of these gems in the coming weeks. In the meanwhile, I hope my swatches and brief descriptions have been useful.

I have been aware of the Fuji Film beauty branch for a while, and they are suposed to be very good skincare products. However I did not know that they had moved onto colour products and that foundation sounds simply gorgeous. It is such a pity though that it has not wider distribution.

You also picked my interest with the Laura Mercier lip products. Fortunately I DO have a shop in town that carries it, so that one is more easy to get my hands on!

Anyway, I was saying that the Astalift skincare range is supposed to be very very good but I did not know that they produced colour products as well. That gorgeous definitely sounds gorgeous and something l would love. It is a pity though that they do not have wider distribution.

What I also enjoyed from your post are the Laura Mercier lip products. Fortunately, I DO have a shop that carries the brand in town, so that will be much more easier.

In my case, I recently purchased my first NARS products after I finally visited a counter on a trip abroad. I came back with two lip pencils, the eye primer and the concealer. I am impatient to give them a proper try!

Thak you so much! Oh my goodness, the Astalift foundation is beyond good...my only regret is that it is so darn difficult to procure right now!

Glad to hear that the Laura Mercier products have caught your eye...I wore a combination of Petal Pink and Golden Peach all weekend and I am still in awe of their pigmentation, hydration and finish...love them!

Congrats on your new NARS procurements...hope you end up adoring them...xoxo,

Nice post! I have a long list of products to check out and I'll add a few to the list. I admit that last night I was looking up dupes to save a little money. Nyx is actually a pretty good brand. I love their matte lip creams with butter gloss on top. Curious about all of your lip colors - how are there even enough days in the week to use them all? I am finding that I end up using one or two for work and maybe a more intense color on the weekend.

I am so glad you enjoyed the post. Yes, I have found some great options from the NYX line...Peach Fizz is just lovely. With regards to your question, I definitely have more lip colors in my collection than I could ever possibly use in a week, much less a year, but the diversity is fun and also makes for great subject matter for the blog ; )

Absolutely stunning look! Your skin is so radiant! I was eyeing the Koh Gen Do blushers and I think I'll give them a chance now! Also, how stunning is that Zelens gloss! I really need to try this brand!

Thank you ever so much...my skin is the result of three things: good skincare (SK-II is incredible), good lighting and good foundation ; ) The KGD blush is marvelous and I wore PK 02 for over 10 hours at IMATS LA yesterday without any need for touchup...highly recommended! The Zelens gloss is fantastic since it is a treatment and color all in one!

Wonderful procurements! Your skin looks fresh, healthy, and satiny!I am tempted by the Koh Gen Do blush yet, as a naturally and unbearably red cheeked woman, I have never manage to pull off any blush on the apples of my cheeks. I am not sure if you are into candles but Aerin's candles are stunning. The rose one being my favorite. It comes in the most gorgeous light pink glass jar. I use the empty jars to put my brushes in and they look wonderful on my vanity.Happy Sunday!

I'm so happy to see your swatches of the Armani shadows, just received an email from Armani yesterday re: these and wondered how they looked. Love your color choices that you brought home! I am also intrigued with the Koh Gen Do blush, definitely have to check that out too. The new product (to me) I have procured FINALLY after being back ordered for months is By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon. It was definitely worth the wait, love it!Happy Sunday!

Thank you. So glad the Armani shadow swatches are helpful for you! Congrats on finally receiving Bronze Moon...I know it is a best seller but I had no idea it was backordered for that long...oh my!! Enjoy it...I've gone through at least 4 over the years ; )

I'm so pleased to see that you have purchased Charlotte Tilbury' s lipstick, Nude Kate. It and Penelope Pink are my favorites. An English friend recently sent me one of her new matte lipsticks, Very Victoria. It's a very natural nude pinkish, light rose. It doesn't have the typical matte flatness. Nor is it horribly drying. I have totally fallen in love with Charlotte Tilbury products.Thanks for posting the Armani swatches. They shade are to die for.

Thank you...yes, Nude Kate is such a lovely true beige (and I also adore Penelope Pink, of course). I haven't yet tried Very Victoria but your description of it just may put it at the top of my "to buy" list now ; )

Just wanted to comment that Astalift is still easily available in Asia. I saw the foundation when i was in HK, Taiwan, Singapore, and Vietnam! I knew I should have picked one up, but I completely forgot! Darn!

Wow the Astalift foundation looks perfect on you. I just received my own bottle in caramel (oc 007) and I can't wait to use it. I got it by googling astalift Malaysia. Took me to the site. Two weeks is acceptable for overseas shipping, right?

Hi BP, can you tell me what color your foundation is? I know you said caramel but it's also listed as ocher00 and ocher 10 etc. also what might be one shade lighter than yours on the neutral side? Thank you!

H! I don't know how recent this article is but For the Becca Highlight/Low light product, on Sephora they show 2 differentchoices- Which one are you reviewing here- I want to make sure I get the same one you swatched here> Thank You for your reply in advance!

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